"In the first place, she had no knowledge of her birth; and, consequently, no false pride to get rid of.

In the second, she was wretchedly poor, and assailed by temptations of which you can form no idea.

Distress like hers might palliate far greater offences than she ever committed.

With the same inducements we should all do the same thing.

Poor girl! she was beautiful once; so beautiful as to make _me_, who care little for the allurements of women, fancy myself enamoured of her." Jack Sheppard again sought his pistol, and was only withheld from levelling it at the thief-taker's head, by the hope that he might gather some further information respecting his mother.